The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is a research organisation operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland. LUKE’s task is to promote competitive business based on the sustainable use of renewable natural resources, as well as wellbeing and the vitality of the countryside.
ALFAwetlands Luke team
The ALFAwetlands team at Luke is composed of several persons. Dr. Liisa Ukonmaanaho acts as the coordinator and have extensive experience in forest ecology, her studies have focused on both forests in mineral soils and peatlands. Her previous studies have primarily concentrated on nutrient dynamics in forests and peatlands and the effects of treatments such as harvesting on recipient watercourses. Dr. Tuula Larmola, the deputy coordinator, is a wetland ecologist focusing on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their mitigation from managed peat soils.
The coordinating team also includes Mrs. Sinikka Västilä, a forest scientist by education, who has managed administrative duties for research projects, particularly relating to Horizon projects, for many years.
Mrs. Minna Jokisalo is a seasoned professional in financial matters and oversees ALFAwetlands’ financial duties.
Mrs. Laura Eskelinen serves as ALFAwetlands’ communication specialist at Luke.
In Work Package 1, Dr. Aleksi Räsänen, a remote sensing specialist, leads Task1.2, which is nearing completion, and he now also works as an associate professor at the University of Oulu.
Dr. Parvez Rana, another remote sensing specialist, leads Task 1.3 (and also Task 3.3).
Dr. Tiina Nieminen participates in Task 1.4; she is a forest ecologist with a particular interest in biodiversity issues in this project.
In Work Package 2, prof. Seija Tuulentie leads one of the tasks, Task 1.2. Her background is in social science, she has specialized in nature-based tourism and land-use and environmental conflict resolution. Dr Mikko Jokinen, Mr. Esa Inkilä and Dr. Hanna Lempinen also contribute to Work Package 2, focusing primarily on the Sanginjoki (Asmonkorpi) site and co-creation process there.
In Work Package 3, forest ecologist Dr. Jyrki Jauhiainen is responsible for many actions alongside Tuula Larmola, particularly in coordinating biomass studies in Work Package 3 and fieldwork at the Finnish Lettosuo and Kivalo sites, where CCF method has been conducted. Jyrki Jauhiainen has studied peatlands in various parts of the world. Additionally, Prof. Raija Laiho, who has professorship in peatlands, contributing to Work Package 3. In Work Package 4, Prof. Ilkka Leinonen is responsible for Task 4.5. He has a strong background in life cycle analyses.
Dr. Emmi Haltia leads Work Package 5, her background is in forest economics. She stepped into the Work Package 5 leadership role at short notice when the original leader moved to another organization, and sheis leading Work Package 5 successfully.
Dr. Katja Kangas, Dr. Annika Tienhaara and doctoral researcher, Mr. Leo Raivonen also works in Work Package 5. Katja is responsible for carrying out PPGIS (public participatory geographic information system), and Annika and Leo are involved in landowner and nationwide surveys. Additionally, Leo carries out his doctoral research in WP5 (see separate article about Leo). Additionally, Dr. Eija Pouta, research prof. of bioeconomy and environment, participates in the Work Package 5.
Main photo: Researchers from Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). From left: Tuula Aalto, FMI; Tuula Larmola, Luke; Leila Korpela, Luke; Liisa Ukonmaanaho, Luke; N.N. FMI; Jyrki Jauhiainen, Luke; Aleksi Räsänen, Luke; Raija Laiho, Luke; Ville Tuominen, FMI (upper row); Petri Salovaara, Luke (lower row) and Helena Rautakoski, FMI.